Concluding Regular Session, Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends More than 200 Applicants for Status with Economic and Social Council

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today concluded its regular session with the adoption of its report, in which it recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant consultative status to 225 applicants across regions and missions of the 439 applicants it considered during its session.

By the report (document E/C.2/2014/L1.1/Rev.1), adopted without a vote, the Committee also recommended that the Economic and Social Council defer 192 applications for further consideration when it resumed its session, set for 19 May to 6 June, and close 22 applications after the non-governmental organizations in question had failed to respond to queries despite three reminders.Among its other recommendations was that the Council grant two of the three requests for reclassification of consultative status, while taking note of three requests for a name change and also of 279 of the 313 quadrennial reports before it.  It also recommended that the Economic and Social Council immediately withdraw the consultative status of one non-governmental organization with a continued outstanding quadrennial report and take note of its report just adopted.

The 19-member Committee, elected on the basis of equitable geographical representation, has been a standing body of the Economic and Social Council since its establishment in 1946.  It vets applications submitted by non-governmental organizations, recommending general, special or roster status on the basis of such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items.  Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.